Leeds in the 1990s: The story of Pegasus, the city's first ever horse crossing
“There is no official mention of horse crossings in the Highway Code so we had to come up with a new name”
What boasted flashing red and green horses and riders with a special push button two metres above the ground?
Pegasus - the country’s first ever combined crossing allowing walkers, cyclists and horse riders to get over a busy city thoroughfare safely.
Council chiefs had to get special Department of Transport approval for the design.
The prototype road crossing was installed over the A63 Selby Road at Colton in east Leeds in April 1995.
Coun Linda Middleton, chair of Leeds City Council’s highways committee, said: “There is no official mention of horse crossings in the Highway Code so we had to come up with a new name.
“Other crossings are named after birds, like pelican and toucan, so we thought the name Pegasus suited it perfectly.
“With so many livery yards in the area, the British Horse Society asked us to help to find a way for rider to safely cross the Selby Road.”
Up to six riders could use the crossing together with cyclists and pedestrians.
The central standing area had been specifically widened to give extra space for horses waiting to cross, and the animals were given extra time to get across the road when the button was pressed.
Jenny Gilbert, country bridleways officer for the West Yorkshire branch of the British Horse Society, said: “The new crossing is a vast improvement in helping mounted riders to cross this busy road. Hopefully similar crossings will be installed in other areas of the city.”